Hypothesis 1
Hypothesis
Representatives of any subculture are more likely to violate different social norms or rules which are followed in the concrete society.
Independent variable
Cultural affiliation; or the fact of people belonging to any subculture. To support the variable, it is necessary to ask the following questions: Does the person belong to any subculture? Does the person share the values of any subculture?
Response categories
Response categories, in this case, are ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in order to state the fact of belonging to the subculture.
Dependent variable
The situations and facts of violating the social norms. Did the person, who belongs to any subculture, violate social norms?
Response categories
‘Yes’ and ‘no’ in order to state the fact of violating the norms which are accepted in the concrete society.
Structural-Functional theory
Society can be discussed as a system of connected elements and parts. In this case, the social system functions as a stable organism. That is why all the elements work in order to contribute to each other. However, there are elements that can lead to this system’s specific dysfunction (Macionis 18-20). The development of subculture in society can be discussed as such a destroying element because many cultural patterns shared by the representatives of the subculture are different in a way while being compared to the patterns of the traditional culture. As a result, those persons who belong to any subculture can be discussed as being apart from the social majority, and their actions can often violate the set of followed cultural norms while breaking the social stability and affecting the social dysfunction.
Hypothesis 2
Hypothesis
Mass media faces cause the progress of ageism in society.
Independent variable
Mass media faces. To support the variable, it is necessary to ask the following question: What is the percentage of young reporters and presenters working for such mass media as television and web channels?
Response categories
Response categories are from 0% to 100% in order to state the percentage of young people working for the mass media.
Dependent variable
The progress of ageism. The main question to ask in this case is: Do you discuss young people as more attractive, interesting, and competent in comparison with the aged persons?
Response categories
‘Yes,’ and ‘no’ are the key response categories selected in order to state the fact of ageism.
Conflict Theory
It is important to note that society develops according to the principles of the ongoing conflict. Thus, there are always winners and losers within the society. That is why one of the main fundaments to promote the social progress is social inequality. From this point, society can be discussed as a specific system that develops to accentuate inequalities in relation to such aspects as a class, gender, race, status, and age (Macionis 34-38). According to the conflict theory, the main condition to promote social progress and social change is to support inequalities. Referring to the aspect of age, the conflict is observed at all levels of social interactions.
People focus on supporting inequalities in relation to young and aged persons. As a result, ageism is in constant progress because different age categories are discussed as conflicting. Prejudice and discrimination against aged persons are the direct results of developing inequalities. Thus, the stated hypothesis is closely associated with conflict theory.
Works Cited
Macionis, John. Society: The Basics. USA: Pearson, 2010. Print.